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I recently participated in a 29-Nautical mile (53km) canoe paddle around Jersey. It was a fantastic trip with great people, offering good conversation and a wonderful opportunity to practice my paddling and navigation skills while coping with tricky waters. It also provided an interesting chance to reflect on leadership.
As we travelled along the South Coast, the spring tide assisted us, carrying us through substantially flat water for half the distance to Saint Catherine’s. There, the current increases in velocity, creating turbulence at the end of the breakwater as it pushes north. The trick for a fast time around the island is to follow that northward current, departing from the coast and being slingshot into faster water. This turbulent, choppy, and challenging water certainly keeps your attention. Like riding a bicycle, a canoe is always faster and more stable when paddling forward. Sitting still in a thin, fast canoe in turbulent water is tricky. I found myself slightly ahead of a couple of the paddlers, having to pause momentarily.
This requires a bit of restraint and confidence. Pushing on without your colleagues is not only discourteous, but it also puts everyone at risk. If they have difficulties, you’re not there to support them, and if you have difficulties, they’re not there to support you. It is important to always keep each other in sight and stay sufficiently close to lend assistance and support.
Once pushed far enough north to see across the North Coast from Rozel to Belle Hougue, you can turn left and paddle across the North Coast, which was perfectly tranquil. We were still being pushed along by the tide, but the water was substantially flat, allowing us to make good progress in easy conditions. We were even spoiled with the sight of dolphins. As we came to the end of our North Coast paddle, we prepared to turn left and begin the final leg down the West Coast of Jersey, towards our starting point at Colbert, at the bottom left corner of the island.
As we rounded the top left corner of the island, the tide’s push combined with a significant undulating swell, making the chop more challenging. The waves became quite mighty, possibly two meters high. These majestic rolling North Atlantic waves poured down the coast, creating the surf for which St. Ouen’s Bay is famous.
This is where leadership comes to the fore. The most experienced kayaker, who paddled beside me at various points to chat, helped me relax and become more comfortable. Anytime I looked remotely nervous or unstable, there would be Kevin, having a chat, being relaxed. As I became more relaxed and confident in my canoe and in the conversation, I wouldn’t become over-fixated on specific waves or sharp turns. I would just relax and paddle better.
When we rounded the corner, Kevin pushed on ahead of me just enough to lead. This provided someone to follow and keep my focus on. By following him, I knew he was taking the safest route. Keeping my focus on him ensured I would be fine, as it also meant we were close enough to support each other if needed.
Despite the leadership and support, I still had to paddle the canoe myself. Kevin could make me relaxed, show me the way, and offer encouragement, but ultimately, I had to do the paddling. No matter how difficult, challenging, or choppy it felt, I was better off upright in a two-meter swell than upside down. So, I just had to get on with it, keep my focus, stay calm, and paddle sensibly, following the leader and staying alert.
Kevin, along with another expert paddler, Jim, was looking for a shortcut through the reef, which could save significant distance and time on our trip. However, the waves were so big that there was little opportunity to dash through the narrow gap without a couple of us being picked up by the waves and dashed against the reef. Even the simplest capsize or rescue would have been incredibly difficult in two-meter waves.
We paused, which was mildly uncomfortable in challenging circumstances, on the edge of the commitment zone where we were atop a significant swell but not caught in the surf driving down the reef. The consensus quickly became to back out and paddle around the big swell, taking the longer but safer route. Tentatively, we turned around, which was itself a challenge, and paddled back out into safer, deeper water further offshore. This avoided the reef leaving us with no more than undulating water and an easy passage to our finish point at Corbier.
I reflected on the genius of leadership, which is just making people feel relaxed and chatty. When circumstances became more challenging, being a pathfinder, but not too far ahead, allowed people to follow without feeling left behind. Assessing the situation on behalf of the whole group and making the right decision for the group, not just for one’s own ability or the strongest paddlers, is crucial.
This may seem obvious, but I’ve partnered with people many times where the strongest paddler is 500 meters ahead, seldom looking back and often oblivious to the difficulties and challenges of those behind them.
Leadership, in my view, is not about your ability to execute a task well. It is about your ability to put people in circumstances where they can execute their tasks well. This may involve helping them relax, giving them feedback and tips, or guiding them into calmer water where they can harness their skills. The challenge should be mildly outside their comfort zone but not in a circumstance where they feel disempowered or vulnerable. That’s not growth; that’s fear. When we become defensive, we stop progressing and sit in the danger zone.
It should be obvious that leadership is making others feel they’ve had an epic trip, rather than boasting about personal achievements. In paddling or in life, we often celebrate the most gifted, fastest, best, and most talented. However, we perhaps underestimate the value of those who look out for others, provide just enough challenge for growth, and do so without being competitive or condescending. Being a good companion and friend helps everyone have an epic experience.
Leadership Lessons and Suggestions:
Engage and Support: Be present with team members, engaging in conversation to help them relax and feel comfortable.
Lead by Example: Position yourself as a leader within sight but not too far ahead, providing a clear path for others to follow.
Be Attentive to Others: Notice when team members are nervous or struggling, and offer reassurance and support.
Promote Confidence: Encourage team members to focus on their tasks rather than over-fixating on individual challenges.
Maintain Proximity: Stay close enough to provide immediate assistance if anyone encounters difficulties.
Assess and Adapt: Evaluate the situation continuously and be willing to adjust plans for the safety and well-being of the entire group.
Balance Challenge and Comfort: Provide enough challenge to promote growth, but not so much that it leads to fear or disempowerment.
Promote Team Safety: Make decisions that prioritize the safety of the group over individual capabilities or achievements.
Foster Growth: Help team members harness their skills by guiding them into manageable challenges, promoting confidence and progress.
Encourage Teamwork: Highlight the importance of working together and supporting each other, rather than focusing solely on individual achievements.
Reflect on Leadership: Take time to reflect on leadership strategies and their impact on team dynamics and individual performance.
Be a Good Companion: Value companionship and mutual support over competitiveness, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
